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Wayne Sabourin adjusts to new role as chief
Housing is the primary issue for Fort Providence residents

Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, November 10, 2011

DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
After a week in his new position, Wayne Sabourin said there's a lot of work to be done.

Sabourin was elected chief of Deh Gah Got'ie First Nation in Fort Providence on Sept. 15. Sabourin and the rest of the council weren't sworn in until Oct. 27, pending the results of an election appeal. Sabourin spent his first day at work in his new position on Oct. 28.

Sabourin said the appeal caused delayed band business for a little more than a month.

The band is currently sorting its business out and Sabourin said he's been catching up on a lot of paperwork.

"We're going day-to-day now," he said.

Although Sabourin said things would have been better without the appeal, he's working past it.

"We can't change that. We just need to move forward and make this happen," he said.

Sabourin said the band membership and the leadership need to work together to ensure decisions work for both groups.

With a bit more than a week under his belt, Sabourin said housing is the top issue.

Residents have written letters and come into the band office to talk about their difficulties securing housing, he said.

Sabourin said the band is looking at the approximately five units it owns as possible options for people who need housing.

The band may sell two of the units but they will need renovations before they are livable, he said.

A wood pellet project is also one of the current orders of business for the band.

Along with business people in Hay River, the band is examining the possibility of manufacturing and selling wood pellets.

"It's a work in progress and it will bring employment to our people," he said.

The band council has convened for one meeting since taking office. Sabourin said he is familiarizing himself with the day-to-day workings of the band.

Sabourin is also getting involved in regional matters.

On Nov. 8, he was scheduled to participate in a Dehcho First Nations teleconference about the Deh Cho Process.

"I'm just trying to update myself on the Deh Cho Process and Edehzhie," Sabourin said.

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